New York Philharmonic Annual Spring Gala & Concert Conducted By Gustavo Dudamel, Featuring Pianist Evgeny Kissin, & Honoring Barbara Tober & The Memory of Donald Tober

On April 28, the New York Philharmonic hosted its annual Spring Gala and Concert in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, honoring arts philanthropist Barbara Tober and the memory of Donald Tober.

Led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel — the Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music & Artistic Director Designate — the Orchestra performed Musorgsky’s Prelude and “Dance of the Persian Slaves,” from Khovanshchina, and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird Suite” (1919 version). Renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin, in his first appearance with the Orchestra in more than a decade, took the stage as soloist in Scriabin’s Piano Concerto. Following a standing ovation, Kissin played two encores: Scriabin’s “Mazurka, Op. 25, No. 3,” and Tchaikovsky’s “Nathalie-Valse, Op. 51, No. 4.” The Orchestra closed the concert with the Pas de deux from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

Upon arrival, Gala guests were invited to walk the green grass carpet in the Karen and Richard LeFrak Lobby in their garden party formal attire. Guests then proceeded upstairs to a cocktail reception on the Leon and Norma Hess Grand Promenade, where drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres were served under “hanging garden” floral installations.

After the concert, guests returned to the Hess Grand Promenade for a three-course dinner, where tables were set with peonies, ranunculus, anemones, tulips, orchids, and roses in linked glass vases anchored in tree-trunk slices with a whimsical touch of faux butterflies. Matías Tarnopolsky — New York Philharmonic Linda and Mitch Hart President & CEO — and Board Co-Chairmen Peter W. May and Oscar L. Tang gave remarks at dinner, which were followed by heartfelt words from Gala Honoree Barbara Tober.

The Gala was designed by DeJuan Stroud and Robert Bloom with catering by CxRA. The evening’s concert sold out, and nearly 600 guests attended the Gala dinner. In total, the Gala raised $3 million, which made it the highest-grossing Spring Gala for the Philharmonic to date.

Attendees at the event included a distinguished list of individuals, including Gustavo Dudamel, the Tang Music & Artistic Director Designate of the New York Philharmonic, pianist Evgeny Kissin, and Gala Honoree Barbara Tober. Elizabeth Segerstrom served as the Gala Honorary Chair, with Matías Tarnopolsky, Hart President & CEO, and Peter W. May, Board Co-Chairman of the New York Philharmonic, also in attendance.

The gala was attended by co-chairs, including Leni May, Oscar L. Tang, H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, Marisa Chearavanont, LaVon Kellner, Judy Glickman Lauder, James L. Nederlander, Margo M. Nederlander, and Daisy M. Soros.

Board member and violinist Joshua Bell, board member and composer Tania León, climate activist Saad Amer, artist Grimanesa Amorós, musician Eartheater, composer and pianist Chloe Flower, composer Lucia Hwong Gordon, mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, soprano Larisa Martinez, soprano Hera Hyesang Park, composer Ellen Reid, ballet dance Larissa Saveliev, musician serpentwithfeet, ballet dancer Christine Shevchenko, ballet dancer Calvin Royal III, fashion designer John Varvatos, choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Miesha Smith, and New York City Council Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams were also in attendance.